Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-13
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1e, 1887
Governor Bartlett Dead.

Governor Bartlett Dead.
Telegraphic dispatches from SAM
Francisco at O'Clock P. N. yesterday j
brought us the anticipated news of the|
death of Governor Bartlett. 1t is a,
lamentable affiiction to this State FROM
all points of view.
Washington Bartlett was born in!
Savannah, Georgia, February 29th,
1924, and was therefore in his 64thI
year. He received liberal educationl
in his native State, and while
= mere boy he removed to Talla-
hassee, Florida, where he entered
upon the profession OF journalism
When the reports of the gold discov-
cries in California reached the East,
young Bartlett was among the first of
those adventurous spirits to take up
his line of march for the Pacific coast.
He arrived in San Francisco in 1S49,
and soon after founded one of
the earliest newspapers published
in the new city. For ten years
he continued in this laudable
enterprise, withstanding all the
fascinations of hunting for gold among
the enthusiastic miners of pioneer
days. This fact is strongly character
istic of the man who to-day lies dead
in Oakland after a long lifetime OF
great usefulness in the service OF the
State.
Mr.. Bartlett began political life in
1859, when he was elected County
Clerk of San Francisco. He SO thor
oughly and methodically performed
the duties Of this very responsible and
onerous office that in 1861 he was re-
elected to the position. In 1867 he
was again called back to the same
duties. In 1870 he was appointed
State Harbor Commissioner, in place
of j. H. Cutter, deceased. In the
memorable political struggle of
1871 he was elected State Sem
ator, and in 1882. when the
people of San Francisco, cast about
tn EN- for man capable of lifting the
city out of a burdensome debt con-
tracted by mismanagement, embez-
element and what not-when the
school fund was without a dollar,
when the streets were unlighted, I'M
sw ept, cut into pitfalls, and gone gem
orally to decay, when the sewers were
in an indescribable condition, and
even policemen's salaries could not be
paid-in this deplorable state Of pub
lie finances, Washington Bartlett was
selected as the only citizen capable
of lifting the municipality out
of threatened bankruptcy, and
elected Mayor. This tremendous
task he accomplished, and that with
out adding one mill to the tax rate of
the city. Not only did he pay all the
debts, put the several departments of
the City Government into vigorous
health, but he left the treasury full of
money. In 1884 he was again chosen
as the Chief Executive officer Of his
city; defeating w. L. Merry by 1884
votes, while the National Democratic
ticket was defeated by 1921. Mr..
Bartlett, therefore, ran 715S ahead of
his ticket. In 1886, when the
Demo mocracy of the State cast
ab out for a man to defeat Mr.. Swift,
tn g honest, able and popular Mayor of
San Francisco was the man selected :.
Since the first of the year Mr.. Bartlett
has been incessant in his diligence in
the administration of the State. He
entered the office after four years of
great toll in the Mayoralty of San Fran
cisco, and after all the arduous duties of
the campaign. Then followed all the
cares of the session of the Legislature.
To the duties of his high Office he ap-
Piled himself with careful scrutiny,
and an untiring energy. Each bill
presented to him he studied its each
and every provision until he fully
comprehended all its purposes and
probable effects. To all this diligence
in Office and devotion to duty the
grand old man has fallen martyr.
He will live in the annals of his city
and state, as one of the founders
Of both, as a pure citizen,
- devoted patriot, and as
ono to whose wisdom and virtues
both the city and the State owe
much Of their greatness. He passes
swAy sincerely mourned by all the,